New Year’s Resolutions: Lifestyle Changes that can Improve Your Sex Life

Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition that was thought to start with the Romans as far back as 153 B.C. Some historians believe that the myth of the King Janus, who had two faces, one to reflect on the past and one to look toward the future, is the beginning of New Year’s resolutions. The name “January” is derived from his name and has been associated with making changes for the New Year.

Today, we still make resolutions and vow to change our life, for the better, in the coming year. For many people, those resolutions disappear as the days and weeks come and go. But there are some resolutions you can make that not only improve your physical health but your sex life as well.

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Quit smoking. One of the more common New Year’s resolutions, quitting smoking is good for you in many ways. It improves your overall health. Nicotine narrows blood vessels and the blood vessels in the penis are susceptible to damage from smoking. Quitting helps reduce the damage and also can increase your libido.

Regular exercise. We know that exercise is good for us. We know it helps keep our heart healthy, which in turn helps improve sexual performance. But regular exercise also increases the levels of sex hormones and endorphins (which improve women’s overall feelings of well being), increasing sexual desire.

Lose weight. Although there are plenty of men who are overweight who enjoy an active sex life, studies have shown that losing weight reduces erectile dysfunction and improves erections.

Get enough sleep. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2011 found that men who had their normal sleep routines reduced to 5 hours each night had a 10 to 15 percent reduction in testosterone levels. Some doctors recommend 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night for men with erectile dysfunction.

Manage stress. When under stress, your cortisol and adrenalin levels rise, which can interfere with sex hormones. Using stress reduction techniques, such as meditation, yoga or exercise can help reduce cortisol and adrenalin levels and allow you to enjoy sex.

Reduce Alcohol Consumption. A few drinks can lower inhibitions and may even increase your sexual desire. But too much alcohol will do the opposite; it can increase anxiety and depression levels. Experts recommend moderate alcohol consumption which is one drink a day for women, two for men.

Reduce caffeine. Just as nicotine constricts blood vessels, so does caffeine. While there have not been any studies linking caffeine to erectile dysfunction, constricting the blood vessels in the penis may cause erection problems.

Besides lifestyle changes, making an effort to improve communication between you and your partner helps. Talk about what you like, fantasies and how you can make your sex life better. Communication References: “How to Improve Your Sexual Health?” Date Unknown, Mark A. Moyad, M.D., Shave Magazine